Engine starting mechanism



Oct. 13,V 1936.

ATTORN EY oct. 13, 1936. F. UNDER 2,057,386

ENGINE STARTING MECHANISM Filed vJune 18, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 fill i 6 j INVENTOR l .rmcsLmcien BY Patented Oct.- 13, 1936 -2,051,386 ENGINEv STARTING MEonAmsM Francis Linder, East Orange, N. J., assignor to Eclipse Aviation Corporation, yEast Orange, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey Application June 18, l1931, Serial No. 545,316

l Claims. (C1. 19276) This invention relates to engine starting mechanism, and more particularly to a starter ofthe inertia type.

An object of the invention is to provide a novel r enginestarter of the type embodying an enginefengaging member which is radially movable into driving engagement with a member of the engine to be started, and which is drivably connected toa small high speed flywheel through reduc- 1 tion means which convert the high speed of the flywheel vinto a high torque applicable to rotate the engine member. l Another object of the invention is to provide an engine starter of the inertia type embodying novel means for transmitting a limited driving torque to a member ofthe engine to be started.

A further object of the invention isto provide a novel engine starter embodying radially movable members adapted to transmit a limited driving torque to a member of the vengine to be started.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel engine starter of the type adapted to transmit a driving torque in .one direction only, said means including mechanism for releasthe starter, novel means for limiting the torque capable of being transmitted-thorn' said inertia member to said driven member.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel torque transmitting means interposed between the inertia member and the engine-en- 40 gaging member of a starter of the foregoing type, said torque transmitting means .including gearing acting not only as a torque transmitting connection but also as a load limiting clutch adapted to yield to render such driving connection ineffective whenever the load exceeds a predetermined amount.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel resilient driving connection between an engine starter and a member engageable by the driving member of the starter. j

Another object 'of the invention is to provide resilient driving connections of the foregoing type in combination with novel means for controlling the resiliency of such driving connection. A further object of the invention is to prov1de ing the driving connection between thel starterv novel shock-absorbing and torque limiting means interposed between the gearing and the housing of an inertia starter. i

'I'hese and other objects and advantages to be derived'from the use of the invention will be- V5 come apparent from inspection of the following specification when read with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein is illustrated the preferred embodiment of the invention. I It is to be expressly understood, however, that the 10 drawings are for the purpose of illustration only, and are not designed as a definition of the limits of the invention, reference being had for this purpose to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings, 15 Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section of a device embodying the invention, a portion of which is taken aing the une l-l of Fig. 3 (butlwith the driving elements shown in non-engaging position);

Fig. 2 is a` view in elevation including only a 20 portion of the complete assembly shown in Fig.

1, the outer members of such portion being broken away to clarify the illustration;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional View along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1; 2 Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view along the line 4 4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view in longitudinal section showing a modification;

Fig. 6 is a detail of a portion of the driving 3o elements; and, Fig. 'l is a detail view of a modiiication of the structure shown in Fig. 6.

Referring to the drawings, and more particu-y larly to Fig. 1, it will be seen that the engine 35 to be started is provided with a rotatable member 5 which, if desired, may be integral with or secured to the'crankshaft of the engine, or a member drivably associated therewith.

The invention is shown embodied in novel' o starting or cranking means associated with the rotatable member 5 for developing and transmitting the starting torque to said member whereby the engine may be cranked. As shown, such means includes a housing having a section 6 45 extending upwardly from around the engine member 5, said housing having an upper section 8 with an outwardly turned marginal flange 9 registering with section 6 and adapted to be supported on an inwardly turned flange I0 on the 50 section 6, suitable means such as screws I2 being provided to rigidly secure the flange 9 of sectionB to the flange I0 of section 6. The upper portion of section 8 is preferably provided with a centrally disposed hub I3 having a central open- 55 ing through which extends the cylindrical hub I4 of 'a yoke or spider member I5 provided for a purpose presently to be described.

Suitable means are employed for storing up energy to be subsequently used at the will of the operator for rotating the engine member 5 and thereby starting the engine. As shown, such means is preferably constituted by an inertia member adapted to be rotated at high speed through suitable gearing drivably connected to a cranking member, the gearing being preferably divided into two or more stages. For this purpose, the spider I5 above referred to is provided with a plurality of supporting posts I6 extending downwardly to retain in place an annular member or ring on which is rotatably supported, with the aid of ball bearings I9, a corresponding number of driving gears 20 adapted to mesh with a sun gear or pinion 2| and also with the teeth of an internal or annulus gear 22 which is secured to the housingsection 8 by suitable means as indicated at 23. As shown, the gears 2|), 2| and 22 constitute a planetary system of gearsoperating in response to rotation of member I4 to impart rotation ata multiplied speed to the inertia means to be described; the gear 2| being preferably integral with a centrally disposed shaft 25. f

Appropriate means are provided for drivably connecting the shaft 25 with the second stage of the gearing which leads to the inertia member. As shown, such means preferably involves the provision at the lower end of shaft 25 of a recessed apertured plate or spider 26 rotatable in response to rotation of the sun gear 2| by the means above described. The spider 26 is referred to as a driving member in certain of the subjoined claims. The supporting means for spider 26 may be of any suitable form, but as shown, consists in the provision of a threaded reduced portion at the lower end of shaft 25 to which is secured a nut 2l adapted to hold in place, with the aid of locking washer 28,I the aforesaid spider 26. Near the outer periphery of spider 26 are located a plurality of supporting posts or bolts 3|] (see Figs. 2 and 3), having threaded lower ends for attachment of nuts 3|, said bolts being adapted to rotatably receive a corresponding number of gears 32, the bolts being preferably enlarged, as indicated at 33, ,to form heads preferably resting on bearings (not shown), the latter being provided to facilitate rotation of said gears. The rotationfof these gears about the posts 30 is preferably brought about by providing an internal gear 36 with which is associated shock absorbing means constituting one of the important features of the invention to be further described hereinafter.

The preferred means for imparting rotation to the inertia member at a greatly multiplied speed, in response to the rotation of the member |4, further includes a second sun gear or pinion 31 having teeth meshing with the teeth of the gears 32 and hence adapted to be rotated thereby; the gear 31 being rigidly secured to a member 38 by suitable means, which as illustrated, takes the form of splines 39,- a retaining nut 40 being threaded to the lower end of member 38. Member 38 is, in turn, rotatable relatively to the driving shaft 25, the relative rotation between the two being facilitated by the provision of suitable bearing means as indicated at 42. 'I'he member 38 is also provided at its upper end with an outwardly turned flange 43 adapted to be secured to an inertia member 44 by suitable means which.'

in the form shown, comprises a plurality of studs or rivets 45 rigidly connecting the flange 43 with an inwardly extending annular flange 46 provided on the inertia member, or flywheel 44.

Novel means are provided for permitting limited angular movement of the internally toothed gear 36 relatively to the housing 6 so as to absorb shocks, particularly the shock incident to the initial driving engagement between the starter and engine, and otherwise steady the operation of the planetary gears 32 and the other parts involved in the cranking operation. As illustrated in Fig. 4, such means preferably comprises the provision of a plurality of cushioning members 48 composed of suitable elastic material and mounted in recesses formed between radial projections 49 on the gear 36 and blocks |30, secured to the housing by any suitable means which, if desired, may be bolts I2 above referred to.

The bolts I2 also serve to hold in place an annular disc 50, supporting gear 36, together with a transversely disposed plate or partition 5| which is adapted to support a ball bearing 52 representing any suitable means upon which the flywheel 44 and flanged member 38 may be rotatably mounted, the ball bearing member 52 being preferably adapted to rest at its outer edge on the supporting plate 53 rigidly fastened to the partition 5| by suitable means, as indicated at 54.

In place of the shock absorbing means just described, the invention contemplates the use of novel torque limiting means which incidentally possess the qualities above ascribed to the resilient members 48. Referring to Fig. 5, the novel torque limiting means is shown therein as interposed between the gear 36 and the housing and comprising a pair of annular discs, |20 and I2|, the former being interposed between the gear and the plate |22 in which the section of the housing terminates; the latter being spaced therefrom and having an inwardly directed rim |23 engageable with the under surface of the gear 36; the disc being adapted to exert va predetermined pressure on the gear by the provision of suitable means including, as illustrated, a plurality of angularly spaced bolts |24, each having associated therewith a coil compression spring |25, the stress of which is regulable by the adjustment shown at |26. -With this construction it is'apparent that on sudden excessive loads, as for example in the event of backfire of ,the engine being started or in the initial transmission of torque, the springs |25 will allow the gear 36 to slip on the discs |20 and I2|, thereby protecting the gearing and other parts from severe strain and allowing the excess load to be dissipated in friction on the discs, which are of suitable material for the purpose. Normally, however, the pressure of the springs on the discs is such as to hold the gear 36 relatively stationary, thereby allowing transmission of starting torque to the engine through the connections hereafter described.

Any suitable means may be provided for rotating the hub I4 to store energy in the inertia member 44 through the speed multiplying mechanism above described. As illustrated in Fig.'1, such means preferably comprises the provision of a threaded upper portion on member |4 for engagement with-an internally threaded member 55 having a transversely extending section which, at its outer edge, turns in both the upward and downward directions to form a sleeve 56, the downwardly extending portion having secured thereto a cylindrical encasing member 5l at thethrough which passesa post 68 which, together with the surrounding sleeve 6|, constitutes a handle by means of which rotation is imparted to the member 56 `and the hub I4 threadedly secured thereto.

The post 68 may be secured to the outer end of crank-arm 58 by any suitable means as. for example, by being peened over at its lower end, as indicated at 62 in Fig. 1, and the sleeve 6| may likewise be secured in place by suitable means such as collar 63 tting in a circumferential 'groove provided near theupper end of post.68.

Appropriate means are provided for operatively connecting the flywheel 44, after the desired amount of energy has been stored therein, to the engine member 5. Such novel means preferably comprises a cylindrical member or drum, such` as that indicated at 65, rigidly secured to the flywheel 5, in combination with a plurality `of elements such as those indicated at 66 and`61 (Figs. l and 3) having convex arcuate surfaces with which are associated friction bands |88 adapted to be moved radially into engagement with theV .apertures for reception of bolts 68, the bolts being held in place by suitable means as, for example, the nuts 12 (Fig. 1). engaging the lower threaded ends thereof, the bolts 68 being preferably so located as to render the elements 66 and 61 self-energizing, that is, cause them to wrap themselves snugly against the inner surfaces 'of drum 65 upon radial movement from their nor. mal positions shown in Fig. l, assuming rotation in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 3.

Suitable means are provided for maintaining the members 66 and 61'in non-engaglng'position with respect to the drum 65, notwithstanding the tendency of such elements to move outward radially in response to the centrifugal force result# ing from rotation of these elements during the cranking operation. As shown, such means comprises rst a plurality of resilient means so positioned as to oppose the centrifugal action and, secondly, the provision of suitable counter-balancing means also tending to oppose the centrif-A ugal action. The;resilient:means'preferablyfcomprises a pair of springs 11 and 18 (Fig. 3), the former being fastened at one end of the element 61 and at its other end to the lower end of post 38, while the latter is fastened to the element 66 at one end and. at the other end to the oppositely disposed post 38, the points of attachment being so located with respect to the pivots 68 on which the friction elements are suspended, and with respect to the axis ,of rotation of these elements, that they exert a resilient force in opposition to the centrifugal force resulting from rotation of the parts. l

The novel counterbalancing means which acts in conjunction with the above described resilient means to oppose the centrifugaljorce created by rotation of the members 66 and 61, and maintain -such elements in non-driving position during cranking operation, comprises preferably a pair of weighted arcuate members 19 rigidly secured, as by rivets H2, to the outer ends of the crossarms 69. These counterweights are 'preferably positioned diametrically opposite to the arcuate driving elements 66 and 61 so as to have maximum counterbalancing eiect, the elements 66 and 61 being preferably unsymmetrically located with respect to the cross-arms 69 (as shown in Fig. 3). This unsymmetrical mounting/of the friction elements and counterweights 19 also has the advantage of permitting the arrangement of i t the crossfarms 69 in parallelism as indicated in Fig. 3. It will also be noted that the counterbalancing weights 19 are attached to the cross-arms 69 in such a manner as to permit superimposing the friction elements 66 and 61 thereupon, as indicatedbest inFig. 3.

Novel means are provided to move elements 66 and 61 outwardly in a radial direction into frictional driving contact with the surface of drum 65, such novel means also permitting the continuance of the manual cranking action through the handcrank, if so desired. For this purpose the cross-arms are preferably provided with sloping shoulders, as indicated at 88, spaced apart sufficiently t0 permit their being engaged by the centrally and vertically disposed rod 8|, the lower end 82 of which is of conical shape, the degree of taper being such as to correspond tothe angle of slope of members 69 whereby, upon downward movement of the rod 8|, a wedging action is produced which moves the cross-arms 69 away from each other, thereby moving the friction elements 66 and 61 into engagement with the drum 65.

Downward movement is imparted to the rod 8| by operation of novel engaging means associated with the handcrank58 and preferably comprisinga pin 85 having a knob or button 86 secured toits upper end, the pin and knob being normally held in the position indicated in Fig. 1

. and then turning upwardly through aperture 89 to pass over the upper portion of the starter casing and then turn downwardly and inwardly forming a hooked end 9| extending loosely into casing 51 and also into the upwardly extending.

portion of sleeve 56, as shown clearly in Fig. 1.

.Cooperating with the central portion 92 of arm 88 is a cap 94 having a knob or other'suitable .striker member 95 centrally disposed thereon, the

said knob 95 being preferably secured, as indicated at 96, to the upper end 91 of the rod 8|, the rod and knob being normally urged upwardly by suitable meansv such asthe spring 99 `4`which thereby'holds the rod normally in the position indicated in Fig. 1. The spring is provided with a seat |88 rotatable with shaft 25, the latter being supported on a bearing member |8| within which the shaft 25 revolves, the said bearing member being in turn supported on collar |82 formed on the upper end of shaft 25, the said shaft being provided with a second collar |84 resting on bearing 42 previously referred to.

The novel means for eecting a gradual resilient driving connection between the arcuate elements on the one hand, and the drumv 65 on the other, whereby the driving connection may slipunder excessive load, comprises a plurality of coiled springs |81 disposed at equal intervals about the arcuate surface of the .driving shoes'66 and.

clearance between the .outer rim of the members.

66, 61 and the arcuate bands |88 which are hooked to the rims of the former'by suitable means, as indicated at |09 and IIO, and held in spaced relation from said rims by the screw and nut connection indicated at III, the degree of clearance being governed by the setting of` these latter connections. The arcuate bands |08 are preferably provided with linings ||4 of suitable friction material adapted to firmly engage the inner circumferential surface of the drum 65.

In conjunction with the above described resilient driving connections, the invention contemplates the provision ofnovel means for limiting and controlling the resilient action thereof. As shown, such controlling means comprises a plurality of (as shown two) toggle mechanisms, each of which comprises a pair of links |I6 and ||1 pivotally secured as indicated at ||8, each link |I1 being pivoted at its opposite end to one of the driving shoes, while the associated link I I6 is threadedly secured in a thimble or eye-piece I I8 rotatably mounted on the lower end of the post 30. Springs 11 and 18, above mentioned, are provided in proper position to buckle the toggle links from their positions indicated in Fig. 3, from which position the toggle links are operable in response to inward radial movement of the driving shoes.

Fig. 7 shows a modified construction which may be used in place of that shown in Fig. 6. In this modification, the friction bands I I 4 are replaced by metallic bands 2|4 secured to the rims 2|5 of the driving shoes 66 and 61 by suitable means such as bolts 2|6, buffer member 2I1 of elastic compressible material such as rubber being interposed between the engaging surfaces 2 I4 and` the shoes, the amount of resiliency of the assembly being adjustable by virtue of the provision of adjusting nuts 2|8.

In operation, when it is desired to start the engine, the crank 58 is rotated by means of handle 6|, which preferably remains in place at all times, such rotation operating to store energy in the flywheel 44 through the speed multiplying means above described; the path of transmission being from the member 51 to the member 56, thence to the member I4, spider |5, and planetary gears 20 to the sun gear 2|, thence through shaft 25 to the spider 26, and thence to the planetary gears 32, sun gear 31, and hub 43 to the flywheel 44.

When the fiywheel has by the foregoing means been brought up to a suflcient speed to store the desired amount of energy for use in cranking" the engine, the operator may press downwardly on button 86, thereby producing a downward pressure on knob to compress spring 99 and move rod,8| downwardly to cause arms 69 to be swung about their pivots 68 and thereby produce a corresponding radial movement of the members 66 and 61, these elements moving radially against the resisting pressure of springs |01 and also against the tension of toggle springs 11 and 18, the ends of the shoes adjacent said springs being subjected to asomewhat greater radial movement than their opposite ends due to the swinging about the pivots 68 as above explained. Since the shoes 66 and 61 have a limited outward movement, the springs |01 are compressed only to a certain extent, and therefore only a limited pressure, or torque, is transferable to the drum 65 to rotate thelatter and thus bring the engine up to a sufcient speed to produce starting thereof under its own power, the springs |01 being effective to ease the shock due to initial application of torque to the engine.

On the occurrence of such self-operation of the engine, the resulting suddenly increased speed imparted to the drum 65 by virtue of its connection with the engine flywheel 5, together with the withdrawal of the wedge 82 (which follows automatically upon release of the knob 86) allows springs |01 to return the shoes 66 and 61 to the non-operative positions, such action being assisted by toggle springs 11 and 18, which are at the same time effective to buckle the links |I6 and I I1 into a non-aligned position.

The operative connection between the starter elements and the drum 65 being thus released, the Iformer come lto rest, allowing the drum to rotate with the engine and without restraint from the starter elements.

There is thus provided a novel engine starter of the inertia type which is simple and rugged in structure, inexpensive to manufacture, and enicient in operation. It is especially adapted for use with small engines because of its compactness and light weight, but since it is a self-contained unit, it may be easily attached to any engine and requires no external supporting means, the whole unit in the embodiment shown being mounted within an extension of the engine housing and part of the mechanism being carried by a rotating member of the engine.

It is to be understood that various other changes may be made in the form, details of construction, arrangement of parts, and the uses to which they are applied, without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In an engine starting mechanism of the type employing an engine member and radially movable engine engaging friction elements, means for adjusting the frictional pressure of said elements on said engine member comprising a driving shoe associated with each of said friction elements and supporting the associated friction element in lspaced relation therefrom, and means for varying the position of each friction element relatively to its supporting shoe, said means comprising a series of radially spaced members projecting inwardly from the convex arcuate surface of said friction elements, and means mounted on said driving shoes for threadedly engaging said inwardly projecting members.

2. In an engine starting mechanism of the type employing an engine member and radially movable engine engaging friction elements, means for adjusting the frictional pressure of said elements on said engine member comprising a driving shoe associated with each of said friction elements and supportingthe associated friction element in spaced relation therefrom, means for varying the4 position of each friction element relativelyto its supporting shoe, and resilient means interposed between said friction elements and driving shoes and yieldably maintaining the spaced relation therebetween, said resilient means comprising a` plurality of coil springs disposed in radially spaced recesses in said driving shoe and engageable at their outer ends with the concave surface of said friction elements.

3.1In a device of the class described, a driving member, a driven member, a plurality of radially movable friction elements interposed between said driving and driven members and movable radially into and out of engagement with said driven member, and toggle means for limiting the radial movement of said friction elements, said means comprising a pair of toggle links pivoted at'one end to said friction elements, and means pivotally connecting the opposite ends of said links to said driving member, said last named means comprising a pair of pivot members spaced apart from and disposed substantially midway between said friction elements.

4. In a device of the class described, a driving memb'en a driven member, a Aplurality of radially movable friction' elements interposed between said driving and driven members andr movable radially into and out of engagement with said'v driven member, and toggle meansfor limiting the radial movement of said friction elements,

said means comprising a pair of toggle links pivoted at one end to said driving member and at the other end to said friction elements, andmeans for connection with said friction elements.

6. In a device of the class described, a driving member, a driven member, a plurality of radially movable friction elements interposed between said driving and driven members and movable radially Ainto and out of engagement with said driven member, and toggle means for limiting the `radial movement of said friction elements,` said means comprising a pair of toggle links pivoted at one end to said driving member andv at the other end to said friction elements, and resilient means for connection with said friction elements. I

'7. In a device of the class described, a driving member, a driven member, a plurality of radially movable friction elements interposed between said driving and driven members and movable radially into and out of engagement with said driven member, and toggle means for limiting the radial movement of said friction elements, said means comprising a pair of toggle links pivoted at one end to said driving member and at the other end to said friction elements, and resilient means disposed in parallelism with said links for connection with said friction elements.

8. In a device of the class described, a driving member, a driven member, a plurality of radially Y movable friction elements interposed between said driving and driven` members and movable radially into and out of engagement with said drivenmember, and toggle means for limiting the radial .movement of said friction elements, said means comprising a pair of toggle links pivoted at one end to said driving member'and at the other end to said friction elements, and resilient means disposed in parallelism with said links for connection with said friction elements. l

9. In an engine starting mechanism of the type employing radially movable driving members each having an inner section and an outer section, and

each constituting a cranking member, the combination with said cranking members of means for maintaining said members in cranking position, and resilient means interposed between said inner and outer sections to oppose the action of said maintaining means.

l0. In an engine starting mechanism of the type employing an engine member and radially movable engine engaging members, each having nonengaging and engaging sections, means for rotating said members, means for moving said en gine engaging members into engine engaging position following .operation ofsaid rotatingmeans, resilient means interposed between said engaging and non-engaging sections to act in a direction tending to release said members from the engine engaging position.

FRANCIS LIN'DER. 

